Vise Guide: Types, Uses and Safety Tips

Explore the different types of vises, their uses and essential safety tips in this detailed guide. Learn how to choose and use a vise for your projects.

Vises

A vise is a device that secures objects during work processes. It features one stationary and one movable jaw, which may be brought together or separated via screws, levers, or other mechanisms to hold workpieces firmly in place.

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Angle Vise

An angle vise offers adjustable clamping positions. It contains marked adjustments to help secure workpieces at various angles.

Bench Vise

A bench vise is mounted on a table or workbench to secure workpieces between two flat jaws. Bench vises are ideal for light-duty applications.

Clamp Vise

Portable and convenient, clamp vises are equipped with a combination of fixed and portable vises featuring a bottom clamp that easily attaches to surfaces like tables, sawhorses, or workbenches.

Drill Press Vise

A drill press vise holds workpieces during drilling, reaming, or tapping on a drill press.

Machine Vise

Also known as a milling machine vise, this type of vise secures a workpiece between a movable jaw and a stationary jaw. Machine vises are used in machining processes like milling, jig boring, grinding, and shaping.

Machinist Vise

A general-purpose vise mounted on a workbench, often used for general clamping tasks.

Pipe Vise

Built to hold pipes during fabrication, pipe vises feature a durable iron yoke and base with hardened steel jaws.

Self-Centering Vise

Self-centering vise facilitates accurate, automatic job centering. It is most handy when applied to workpieces of varying sizes for which the same operation will be performed, as it requires just one machine setting.

Sine Vise

This precision vise uses gauge blocks and solving triangles to achieve accurate clamping angles. Sine vises are commonly used in high-accuracy machining.

Toolmaker Vise

This type of vise is useful in tool manufacturing, grinding, milling, engraving, and other tasks that require precise clamping. Toolmaker vises are available in screw and screwless models.

Vacuum Base Vise

Featuring a lever-operated suction cup, vacuum base vises attach securely to a tabletop or smooth surfaces for light-duty work.

Woodworking Vise

Woodworking vises are equipped with wooden padded jaws to secure work without marring the workpiece surface.

Soft Jaws:

Made of plastic, aluminum, or leather to prevent marking and damage to workpieces.

Smooth Jaws:

Hold various shapes securely while avoiding damage to soft metals.

Grooved Jaws:

Vertical/horizontal grooves effectively hold cylindrical pieces parallel or perpendicular to the vise.

Serrated Jaws:

Featuring a crosshatch pattern to provide a firm grip of a workpiece in any position.

Safety Tips for Using a Vise

DO’S

Always wear safety glasses or a face shield when using striking or power tools on a workpiece held by a vise.
Mount the vise securely, with bolts in all base holes and lock washers under the nuts.
Position the stationary jaw slightly beyond the edge of the workbench to avoid interference with clamped work.
Ensure the workbench is firmly secured to its base.
Inspect vises for cracks or other damage before use.
Place the workpiece in the vise so the full clamping surface of the jaws supports it.
Use a vise large enough to hold the workpiece without strain.
Keep the workpiece as close as possible to the vise jaws to minimize vibration during operation.
Support the end of long workpieces with an adjustable stand, sawhorse, or box to reduce strain on the vise.
Keep all moving parts clean, oiled, and free of debris.
Use vise jaw liners to prevent marking delicate or finished surfaces.
Replace bent handles and worn jaw inserts immediately.
Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for specific guidelines.

DON’TS

Never weld or repair a vise by brazing.
Do not try to bend a heavy rod in a light vise.
Do not cut into the jaws.
Do not apply heavy pressure at the vise jaw corners.
Avoid using handle extensions to increase clamping pressure.
Do not hammer the handle to tighten beyond normal hand pressure.
Never use vise jaws as an anvil or exceed their designed opening capacity.
Do not operate the vise with even the slightest crack.

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